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S@ssen@ch

Gastric Sleeve Patients
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Everything posted by S@ssen@ch

  1. S@ssen@ch

    Long term reflux?

    In addition to the things Charlene mentioned, you could get esophagitis (an inflammation or irritation of the esophagus) or worse yet, esophageal erosion from the constant acidic exposure. The esophagus is not meant to be exposed to the acid of the stomach on a long term basis. The hints that Charlene gave are also helpful. I would also recommend drinking a glass of Water before bedtime, to help "flush out" the pouch so to speak. Aloe vera juice has been recommended to me, for my reflux problems as that nightly drink but I don't really like the taste. Even though you aren't where you want to be, whether it's weight-wise or restriction-wise this is not something you'd want to risk your esophagus over. The risks of being too tight far outweigh the downside of losing slower or having your restriction lesser IMHO.
  2. S@ssen@ch

    Life changing event ...

    Wow. Thank you for sharing this story. All too often we let our fragile egos get the better of us. By helping us put things into perspective, maybe we can all learn. Glad you're still with us Elizabeth as I'm sure your patients are as well.
  3. S@ssen@ch

    I've been told I'm crazy, AGAIN!

    Thanks, everyone. Believe it or not, I was really starting to question my psychological state after 2 doctors told me that. But when I finally got my gander up and got angry, I realized that any anxiety I may have is caused by the symptoms not the other way around. The symptoms show up, I get concerned. I feel that's normal. If that's anxiety, then so be it. But if that's the case, a bit of anxiety is necessary to get the job done when something is wrong. Yes?
  4. S@ssen@ch

    I've been told I'm crazy, AGAIN!

    Well, I FINALLY had my appointment with my band doctor today. Getting a word in edgewise with him is so terribly difficult. I went in to tell him all of these reflux troubles. I went in expecting a slight or total unfill. I tried to tell him my symptoms and I did for the most part. What happened was that he basically threatened me with band removal because "Well, we don't want unhappy people." I told him that I was happy as long as I wasn't having pain or reflux. He said, "I see you have a history of anxiety." WHAT? The only anxiety I've had was associated with that dark period where I had "esophageal spasms" that turned out to be gall bladder attacks. Dr. Duckett (his partner) didn't diagnose them properly, I was desperate for help because they HURT LIKE HELL! I can't say that enough...THEY HURT LIKE HELL AND I WANTED TO DIE DURING THE ATTACKS. He went on to question my "anxiety" and why I'm not happy with my band and did they REALLY find stones in my gall bladder. As if some sweetheart doctor just took my gall bladder out because I asked him to. PUHLEEZ! Ultimately, he decided to do an EGD (scope my esophagus and stomach) and check my band under fluoroscope. BUT, yes, BUT I have to get prior approval from my insurance which could take weeks. Yes, I said weeks. I asked him what I'm supposed to do in the mean time. He said keep taking the Nexium (which hadn't really made the reflux go away) and maybe do liquids. I feel like I've been living on soup and ice cream (which feels like heaven on my throat by the way). I spent the weekend sleeping in a lawn chair! I'm not sleeping well because the burning wakes me up. Thank God I don't aspirate (which is another argument he had against me having "real reflux") other than maybe a little rattle in my chest first thing in the morning which is cleared with a good cough or 2. I have been completely dissed by my band doctor, or at least I feel that way. I've been left to experience these symptoms, including tasting blood on occasion because one doctor felt I was experiencing "anxiety" in the past and the partner (who obviously read the remark in my chart) either doesn't have a clue or honestly thinks that too. Anxiety, which personally I feel was justified during the gall bladder debaucle, had I actually been having it. I just want treated. I want the symptoms to be gone. Good God, I've changed my job to a less stressful one. I exercise more. I've made lots of improvements in my life. Wouldn't I know if I were having anxiety attacks or anxiety in general? My only anxiety revolves around these symptoms and not being allowed to get them treated. It has nothing to do with the band itself and to threaten me with removing it simply because he thinks I'm unhappy with the band is ludicrous. I love my band, believe it or not. I really think I'm probably just too tight (hopefully). I think there's a small possibility of other complications here like a slip or something. But this has been coming on kind of gradually with increased intensity since that last fill. I'd say about a month after that last fill I noticed the first sore throat in the morning. The clear thinking medical practicioner in me versus the angry patient can still see that this can be treated, as long as I find someone who will listen and not pass psychological judgement. I sincerely do not know what kind of patient I display myself to others as to have this kind of judgement passed upon me. I've even had to stop telling my doctors that I'm a nurse, they get all high and mighty with me. They say, "there's only one thing worse than a patient who is a nurse and that's a patient who is a doctor." I'm not kidding when I say that a doctor has told me, "what's the worst thing that could happen, you have to be in a wheelchair and your husband will push you around?" (This was when I was seeking treatment for an arthritic hip-I have since had to have a replacement) I do not demand certain tests, treatments or even suggest diagnoses. I let their own egos direct the care. The only time I've interjected was when my 2nd opinion on the gall bladder was going for esophageal spasms again. I asked if he would check my gall bladder. He did. He apologized for having missed it. Well, now that I've ranted enough and before I get all kinds of hostile PM's or something let me alleviate all your fears and concerns. I have made an appointment to see ANOTHER DOCTOR for Friday. Yes, I have had it as far as I can take it with these two egomaniacs who think that everything they have operated on should go by the book. (They have told me that they have only had a couple of their lap band patients need gall bladder surgery after lap band). Well, come on.......we all know that weight loss in the fair, fertile, female, fat, forty (well, you get the picture) leads to gall stones. I may have to drive over 3 hours to get there, but if this doc listens to me and pays attention to my symptoms it will be well worth the drive. I just want to feel better. Who the hell cares about losing weight at this point? Dr. C..............here I come.
  5. S@ssen@ch

    I've been told I'm crazy, AGAIN!

    Well, I FINALLY had my appointment with my band doctor today. Getting a word in edgewise with him is so terribly difficult. I went in to tell him all of these reflux troubles. I went in expecting a slight or total unfill. I tried to tell him my symptoms and I did for the most part. What happened was that he basically threatened me with band removal because "Well, we don't want unhappy people." I told him that I was happy as long as I wasn't having pain or reflux. He said, "I see you have a history of anxiety." WHAT? The only anxiety I've had was associated with that dark period where I had "esophageal spasms" that turned out to be gall bladder attacks. Dr. Duckett (his partner) didn't diagnose them properly, I was desperate for help because they HURT LIKE HELL! I can't say that enough...THEY HURT LIKE HELL AND I WANTED TO DIE DURING THE ATTACKS. He went on to question my "anxiety" and why I'm not happy with my band and did they REALLY find stones in my gall bladder. As if some sweetheart doctor just took my gall bladder out because I asked him to. PUHLEEZ! Ultimately, he decided to do an EGD (scope my esophagus and stomach) and check my band under fluoroscope. BUT, yes, BUT I have to get prior approval from my insurance which could take weeks. Yes, I said weeks. I asked him what I'm supposed to do in the mean time. He said keep taking the Nexium (which hadn't really made the reflux go away) and maybe do liquids. I feel like I've been living on soup and ice cream (which feels like heaven on my throat by the way). I spent the weekend sleeping in a lawn chair! I'm not sleeping well because the burning wakes me up. Thank God I don't aspirate (which is another argument he had against me having "real reflux") other than maybe a little rattle in my chest first thing in the morning which is cleared with a good cough or 2. I have been completely dissed by my band doctor, or at least I feel that way. I've been left to experience these symptoms, including tasting blood on occasion because one doctor felt I was experiencing "anxiety" in the past and the partner (who obviously read the remark in my chart) either doesn't have a clue or honestly thinks that too. Anxiety, which personally I feel was justified during the gall bladder debaucle, had I actually been having it. I just want treated. I want the symptoms to be gone. Good God, I've changed my job to a less stressful one. I exercise more. I've made lots of improvements in my life. Wouldn't I know if I were having anxiety attacks or anxiety in general? My only anxiety revolves around these symptoms and not being allowed to get them treated. It has nothing to do with the band itself and to threaten me with removing it simply because he thinks I'm unhappy with the band is ludicrous. I love my band, believe it or not. I really think I'm probably just too tight (hopefully). I think there's a small possibility of other complications here like a slip or something. But this has been coming on kind of gradually with increased intensity since that last fill. I'd say about a month after that last fill I noticed the first sore throat in the morning. The clear thinking medical practicioner in me versus the angry patient can still see that this can be treated, as long as I find someone who will listen and not pass psychological judgement. I sincerely do not know what kind of patient I display myself to others as to have this kind of judgement passed upon me. I've even had to stop telling my doctors that I'm a nurse, they get all high and mighty with me. They say, "there's only one thing worse than a patient who is a nurse and that's a patient who is a doctor." I'm not kidding when I say that a doctor has told me, "what's the worst thing that could happen, you have to be in a wheelchair and your husband will push you around?" (This was when I was seeking treatment for an arthritic hip-I have since had to have a replacement) I do not demand certain tests, treatments or even suggest diagnoses. I let their own egos direct the care. The only time I've interjected was when my 2nd opinion on the gall bladder was going for esophageal spasms again. I asked if he would check my gall bladder. He did. He apologized for having missed it. Well, now that I've ranted enough and before I get all kinds of hostile PM's or something let me alleviate all your fears and concerns. I have made an appointment to see ANOTHER DOCTOR for Friday. Yes, I have had it as far as I can take it with these two egomaniacs who think that everything they have operated on should go by the book. (They have told me that they have only had a couple of their lap band patients need gall bladder surgery after lap band). Well, come on.......we all know that weight loss in the fair, fertile, female, fat, forty (well, you get the picture) leads to gall stones. I may have to drive over 3 hours to get there, but if this doc listens to me and pays attention to my symptoms it will be well worth the drive. I just want to feel better. Who the hell cares about losing weight at this point? Dr. C..............here I come.
  6. S@ssen@ch

    Gee, it's always something

    First, I don't taste blood all the time. I have tasted a metallic taste that I think is blood on occasion. The last time I tasted it was about 3 or 4 days ago. It's rare, and I can't say if it's related to anything I've done such as eating anything specific or even positional. It just comes. Hell, I suppose it even could be my gums. The other day they were bleeding pretty bad after I brushed my teeth. I told the nurse about it. She didn't seem all that concerned. As a nurse myself I realize the potentials here. However, I live in a small town where "lap band" or "adjustable gastric banding" is met with blank stares or is confused with bypass. If I go to the emergency room where my surgeon practices, it's more than an hour away. I've been there before for various other things such as when I was having the gall bladder attacks and they thought it was esophageal spasms or something that had temporarily stuck in my band. I've really lost a lot of faith in these docs. I've considered changing, but the next closest doctor is newer at banding and I certainly don't want someone brand new at this "practicing" on me. Currently I'm seeing the partner of the one who misdiagnosed my gall bladder problem, hoping that he'll be a better diagnostician. My symptoms are getting better, but I shouldn't have to eat Tums like candy. I'm not having any trouble eating. I never have. If I'm too tight, I really am confused because other than an occasional feeling that my food is moving through kind of slowly (I suppose the golf ball feeling) I don't really have much restriction. I've thought slip, I've thought erosion. I don't know and unfortunately I don't have x-ray vision into my body. The last fluoro I had done in December showed my band was just fine and even then I couldn't sleep on my back because of that pressure/burning thing. Maybe I'm some enigma. I feel no need to RUN to the doctor or emergency room. Even when I was writhing in pain, they didn't seem all that concerned in the past. Their last advice about the pain that made me wish I was dead was to see a psychiatrist. It was only then that I became angry enough to seek a second opinion. My own. I researched and came up with a possible diagnoses, went to the urgent care center in my community and demanded the tests to confirm the diagnoses I had in mind. Please don't worry. I was angry when I wrote that post because I felt like I was being put off by the doctor. I suppose I still feel that way. But really, my symptoms are improving. They aren't gone, but they're better than they were when I originally called the doctor on Wednesday. I've been faithfully taking my Nexium and I don't eat anything after 7 P.M. Throughout the last 2 or 3 weeks I've been feeling pretty low about this whole situation. I've been unable to post because my internet connection has been unreliable. I just needed to vent. I use this as a log of my journey as well as my journal. I don't feel the need to sugar coat what's going on. That's what's been happening to me. I don't want to scare people. I still feel the band is a wonderful thing. I just seem to have such weird things. For months I didn't know what that gall bladder crap was. NO ONE had it and no one knew what it was. It was because my symptoms presented a little differently than most gall bladder sufferers. For all I know I now have something totally unrelated to the band. I read on another post that reflux could be a sign of a hiatal hernia. We'll see.
  7. S@ssen@ch

    Gee, it's always something

    Gosh, I'd have to go through my entire journal to remember if I've mentioned this problem or not. Either way, here goes...Since about November of 2005 I haven't been able to sleep on my back. If I do, I get an uncomfortable pressure sometimes accompanied by a burning in my upper abdomen and sometimes in my chest. I've told my doctor about it. I told him when it started. He blew me off, actually tightened me and told me to raise the head of my bed, not to eat for at least three hours before going to bed, to drink a glass of water before going to bed, yada yada yada. I did all those things. I took Nexium. I took pepcid. I took Maalox. I still had it. I posted about it on more than one lap band forum. No one else had it, no one could give me an explanation. The only suggestion I got was to drink that aweful aloe vera juice. I did. NO IMPROVEMENT. I resigned myself to not being able to sleeping on my back for some undetermined reason FOREVER. That's the history. Now, here's the present. For the last 3 or 4 weeks, this problem has been getting progessively worse. I've been waking with a sore throat sometimes. Now the sore throat is constant. The weird thing is that sometimes I get sore nostrils. I don't vomit. I don't choke. I don't cough. Once in a while, I taste blood. This is getting serious. And, of course no one knows why this is or has similar symptoms. Of course this is some weird reflux for a person who has never vomited other than vomiting associated with that damn gall bladder, I sure am having problems. I called my doctor on Wednesday. They told me he'd call me back. He had to run out to emergency surgery, but he'd call me back today between the hours of 9 and 12. NO CALL. So, I called them. I'm told he had to rush out to another surgery, but that he'd call me on Tuesday. I talked to the nurse, but wasn't told anything I didn't already know. I might be too tight, I might have to have a barium swallow, Dr. Ducket usually checks this under fluroscopy. Well, DAMN! I've had these symptoms filled and completely unfilled. MORONS! I don't want to get mouthy with the doctors but I'm at my wits end here. Why the hell am I having this? What is it other than simple reflux? It sure doesn't behave like the reflux everyone else seems to complain of. So, for the time being I keep my Tums close and suck on them like candy to help with the sore throat. I drink a big swig of Maalox before bed. I take my Nexium with dinner. All these things I do along with the previously mentioned advise. Hell, I can't get my head any higher without sleeping standing up (which I'd do if I could because that's the only time I'm comfortable).
  8. S@ssen@ch

    Gee, it's always something

    Gosh, I'd have to go through my entire journal to remember if I've mentioned this problem or not. Either way, here goes...Since about November of 2005 I haven't been able to sleep on my back. If I do, I get an uncomfortable pressure sometimes accompanied by a burning in my upper abdomen and sometimes in my chest. I've told my doctor about it. I told him when it started. He blew me off, actually tightened me and told me to raise the head of my bed, not to eat for at least three hours before going to bed, to drink a glass of water before going to bed, yada yada yada. I did all those things. I took Nexium. I took pepcid. I took Maalox. I still had it. I posted about it on more than one lap band forum. No one else had it, no one could give me an explanation. The only suggestion I got was to drink that aweful aloe vera juice. I did. NO IMPROVEMENT. I resigned myself to not being able to sleeping on my back for some undetermined reason FOREVER. That's the history. Now, here's the present. For the last 3 or 4 weeks, this problem has been getting progessively worse. I've been waking with a sore throat sometimes. Now the sore throat is constant. The weird thing is that sometimes I get sore nostrils. I don't vomit. I don't choke. I don't cough. Once in a while, I taste blood. This is getting serious. And, of course no one knows why this is or has similar symptoms. Of course this is some weird reflux for a person who has never vomited other than vomiting associated with that damn gall bladder, I sure am having problems. I called my doctor on Wednesday. They told me he'd call me back. He had to run out to emergency surgery, but he'd call me back today between the hours of 9 and 12. NO CALL. So, I called them. I'm told he had to rush out to another surgery, but that he'd call me on Tuesday. I talked to the nurse, but wasn't told anything I didn't already know. I might be too tight, I might have to have a barium swallow, Dr. Ducket usually checks this under fluroscopy. Well, DAMN! I've had these symptoms filled and completely unfilled. MORONS! I don't want to get mouthy with the doctors but I'm at my wits end here. Why the hell am I having this? What is it other than simple reflux? It sure doesn't behave like the reflux everyone else seems to complain of. So, for the time being I keep my Tums close and suck on them like candy to help with the sore throat. I drink a big swig of Maalox before bed. I take my Nexium with dinner. All these things I do along with the previously mentioned advise. Hell, I can't get my head any higher without sleeping standing up (which I'd do if I could because that's the only time I'm comfortable).
  9. S@ssen@ch

    Reflux...sore throat?

    Buffie, Depending on when you feel this, it could be reflux. I have a constant sore throat. It started with an "occasional" sore throat that I'd have when I woke in the morning. It has progressed to a constant burning, irritation. I've contacted my doc, but apparently he doesn't think it's too terribly serious because I called him on Wednesday and as of this afternoon his nurse says maybe he'll get back to me on Tuesday. She suggested maybe I'm too tight, maybe I need to take antacids or maybe I need a barium swallow. :Banane27: I guess, I'd have to ask why do you think this is reflux versus post nasal drip/sinus problems? If you're having some other symptoms that makes you think it's reflux, I'd at least call my doctor. I know how you feel, not wanting to get unfilled. But if you're having reflux, you're putting your esophagus at risk.
  10. S@ssen@ch

    I am so pissed!!

    I think the best advice so far was Tricia's. Hold your head high in knowing that you made the best decision for YOU. Clearly you've been very successful-and congrats by the way. By responding, you only incite more hostility and it's possible that confrontation or conflict is what this person is actually looking for. Some people kind of get off on it. Don't give her/him that power over you, knowing that they stirred you up. You're better than that. Take a deep breath, let him/her live with their own decisions. We all struggle, WLS or not. Live and let live, I guess.
  11. S@ssen@ch

    Fobi Pouch Gastric Bypass

    I don't know a lot about it, but I know Rosanne Barr had it. I suppose if you got online and researched it, you'd find a lot of information. ObesityHelp.com has a Fobi Pouch GB forum. For most procedures it also has an informational section, but theirs is incomplete at this time.
  12. S@ssen@ch

    What is your pirate name?

    Buccaneer Rose.............and ARRRRR, Cap'n Jack's all mine. I'll fight ya to the death.
  13. "Real Sex". It's a great show for those sexual fantasies and can be rather informative if you are paying attention and not using it for stimulation. (did I just type that?) :omg:
  14. I counted calories faithfull for the first 8 months. Then I kind of got lazy and it showed. My weight loss came to a screeching halt. For the last 3 weeks, I've been doing it faithfully again and although I've not seen a significant change in my weight I'm sure it will benefit me so that even though I had some ice cream tonight, I factored it into my daily caloric intake. I believe that by faithfully monitoring what we eat both nutritionally and calorically we make better choices and see our goals to fruition. It's by being faithful to that monitoring that we learn new habits. Didn't I read or hear somewhere that it takes us like 10,000 repetitions of an act to learn a new habit? I personally have a lot of BAD habits to UNLEARN.
  15. S@ssen@ch

    Any Heel Spur Problems?

    I had painful heel spurs several years ago. I was in physical therapy for something else at the time and talked to the therapist about it. She recommended the stretching exercises already discussed. I also stood about a foot or 2 from my wall with my feet flat on the floor then leaned forward so that I could feel the stretch in the bottom of my legs. This helped tremendously. Another one was to stand with the balls of your feet on a step and let your heels hang down a bit, it stretches the tendons in the arch. There are also great shoe inserts to help cushion and support your foot. I haven't tried the ones that are more arched, but I have tried others. BTW, heel spurs do not go away without surgery. They are permanent and are always there. Most of the time they are not painful. It's when inflammation gathers around the spur that it becomes painful (bursitis). I'm pleased to read that mysherrijo was successful with her spur removal, in my experience as a nurse I haven't seen a lot of successful foot surgeries-spur removals or otherwise. She must have had a great doc.
  16. S@ssen@ch

    help me plz

    You didn't give us a lot of information about what preceeded the pain and what kind of food you've been able to eat so I'm going on assumption (which isn't necessarily a good thing). This could be reflux as others have said or.........I've had this kind of pain after a meal if something I've eaten didn't go through quite as easily as it should have. I haven't quite figured out if the item is stuck or if it just irritated my stoma, but it burns and it's a rather uncomfortable pressure. It usually passes after a bit, though. Again, you didn't indicate whether this pain is constant, whether it's associated with meals or if it's positional. No matter what WE think here on LapBand Talk, you need to contact your doctor. Even if he is 5 hrs away, a phone call is seconds away..........so at the very least call him and let him know your symptoms. Give him specifics on duration, anything that may be associated or possibly cause the pain. Make sure he knows what it is you're eating because sometimes he can help deduce what the problem is from what you've ingested. Be as detailed as possible. Most practices have someone on call just for these kinds of issues.
  17. S@ssen@ch

    Favorite protein powders?

    Personally, I use unjury whenever I need a little extra Protein. But, I've been out for a little while now. I also use SF Carnation instant breakfast. It's easily accessable and makes a great shake when mixed with ice, skim milk and a scoop of unjury. I even get creative and put fruit or Peanut Butter with them when I'm doin' shakes. I've also tried Boost and Boost Breeze (a fruity flavored drink). I'd stay away from the Boost PLUS, it has a funny after taste. But, if I were startin' over for some reason I think I'd try some of the products on http://www.bariatriceating.com Susan Maria is one of the nicest ladies I've met. Her book is great and the recipes in it are wonderful. She personally tests each and every product she puts on that site and wouldn't endorse the product if she felt it didn't meet her standards of quality and flavor. That's not to say Unjury isn't great because it is. I'd just try some of the others out. Like those little protein shots. They're expensive, but they're packed with protein and I hear they're good. Fortunately, this stage is only temporary but if you're prepared and creative it isn't such a torture.
  18. When "The Osbourne's" were popular on MTV, I heard about Sharon Osbourne having a band around her stomach to lose weight. I thought about it briefly, then dismimssed it. Then, while on a cruise in 2004 I was reading "O" magazine. There was an article in it about all different kinds of WLS, including the band. Of course the information was limited, but I was at a point where I needed to do something and RNY was not something I was willing to do. So, I researched and researched, then scheduled a seminar with the closest doc I could find. The rest, as they say, is history.
  19. S@ssen@ch

    Which side is your port?

    Mine's to the left of my belly button, probably only about 3 fingers lower than my rib cage. On my first visit to the surgeon, he examined my abdomen trying to determine the best place for it. His only comment was that this place may interfere with my wasteband of my pants. I told him that the only reason I wear my pants that high is that "fat lady pants" seem to ride high like that. He laughed and when I woke from surgery, that's where it was. If I wear exercise pants with an elastic wasteband that are a little snug, I can feel it. Otherwise, I barely notice it's there. Once, when I got a little "active" in bed I pulled something around there and was sore for a few days. I was convinced I'd flipped it, but I've had a fill since then so it must be O.K.
  20. I've chosen to eat my food from smaller plates. If, for some reason, the smaller plates are unavailable I do my best to maintain my smaller portions. I have left my "clean my plate" syndrome behind. If I force myself to eat those last few bites, I become very uncomfortable and since I don't like that feeling.....I have no problem leaving those bites. As for food I shouldn't eat, I have learned to live WITH the chips, ice cream, Cookies, etc. in the home. Hubby brought them in pre-band and refuses not to buy them now. I've tried to reason with him, to tell him that basically you're giving alcohol to an alcoholic-type arguments. He doesn't care. He wants it and refuses to budge. So, I put it in the pantry/freezer and don't look at it. I make sure I have healthy Snacks in my home and do my best. If I happen to have some, I make sure I've accounted for it by cutting back somewhere else or exercising. But I really do my best to avoid. I also have some pretty hard-fast rules. I don't eat breaded, deep fried ANYTHING. Once in a GREAT while, I'll splurge and have some KFC popcorn chicken-but that's rare and I consider it a treat. I've been doing these rules and lifestyle for over a year and other than the recent plateau I've been stuck on, I've been doing pretty well. I've discovered in this process that I have more mental strength than I gave myself credit for pre-band. Determination and perserverance.........onward.
  21. S@ssen@ch

    Danger In Bagged Salad - Please Read

    Here, here! I always thought the preservatives or whatever the heck is in that bag smelled and tasted funny. I'm SO glad that I bought a salad spinner and wash it twice to get that smell and taste off before I eat it. Thankfully though, I don't eat a lot of salad anymore. If I eat a salad, it's because I really WANT one not because I feel I have to eat it to save calories and fill me up.
  22. The prevention of blood clots post operatively is one of the things the doctors focus on in the immediate post op period. It's my understanding that the use of blood thinners with this particular surgery is kind of rare, but it would depend on your pre-op blood work and your own personal risk factors. Talk to your doctor. Ask questions of him/her and find out exactly why these are necessary. If you get a very vague or parachute answer like "to prevent complications" or "to prevent blood clots", ask for clarification as to why YOU need it. The more informed you are, the more apt you are to be compliant.
  23. S@ssen@ch

    New diet i found

    I did and I'm sure it was on the third day. I felt the bloating for about a week after that as well. I felt as though my whole system had been thrown "off whack". My regularity was put in shock or something. Whoever said that we'd have to stay close to a toilet to "flush out the impurities" was way the hell off because I haven't been more constipated in my life. And you'd think with all these veggies and fruits you'd be going like mad. Oh, and my advice..........make sure you eat AT LEAST 3 bananas. It was on or about that day that I started getting muscle cramps in my lower legs and feet-a sign of either dehydration (which I know I didn't have) or low potassium. If I ever do this diet again, I sure as heck am gonna start taking stool softeners or something right along with it. No way am I gonna get into a predicament like that again.
  24. S@ssen@ch

    QUESTION...ADVICE needed PLEASE!

    I'd wait to eat solid food until you're feeling 100%. I've had those feelings and I just get active. Getting my mind off of it also helps. Whether I'm exercising or just doing housework, it's amazing that you're busy then all of a sudden you feel better. BTW, what is a digestive cookie? If it has a bulk fiber/laxative substance in it, those items often cause a "back up" in the upper part of your stomach and may make you uncomfortable. Bulk Fiber is not recommended in bandsters.
  25. S@ssen@ch

    Band v Bypass

    Before you decide to have any WLS, make sure you're well-informed about the types of surgeries themselves and are confidant in the reasons you've chosen the surgery that you have chosen. Even though you may have "perused" the forums, that doesn't mean you understand the procedures themselves, only the individuals who have either had them or are looking into them and the questions they have had the courage to post. With WLS, there are three different types of surgeries. A "malabsorptive" surgery, meaning that somehow through surgical intervention your body has been altered so that even though you eat food and nutrients you do not absorb the calories or the vitamins/minerals, etc. A "restrictive" procedure, meaning that you cannot eat as much as you used to, restricting the quantity of food and therefore calories. And thirdly, a combination of malabsorptive and restrictive. Gastric bypass is a combination of malabsorptive and restrictive. Lap band is restrictive only. There are pros and cons to that and depending on what you're looking for in a WLS as well as what you are willing to risk is how you make your decision. Research, research, research. Make sure you're confidant with your surgeon. Even though he may "prefer" one procedure over another doesn't mean you won't have success, it just means you may have to be a little more dedicated and knowledgeable. Oh, and by the way........his statistics about losing less than 50% of excess body weight are off. It may be from the original FDA trials. I personally started off with 135 lbs to lose if I wanted to make it to that "ideal" body weight. I have lost 80 lbs which is 59% of my excess body weight as compared to that "ideal". I'd like to lose at least 40 more, which would make me only slightly overweight. With the band, a little dedication and patience, I now have hope that I will see that.

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